It happens like clockwork. Every time we feature a plus sized Bombshell, comments invariably veer from observations of style to edicts on health and doctrines on the dangers of obesity.
Yesterday, for Bombshell Tiffany from Chicago, most were focused on her looks, but some, like MissyQeenB said, “I CANNOT get past her weight,”Mommy’s Daughter said, “It disturbs me that only in the black community being obese and overweight is being applauded. I am not saying crucify her. I just wish the community would take this seriously and realize obesity is a fatal disease that kills,” and reader Vogue said, “I love how people keep saying [her weight] doesn’t matter. I see there are a lot of overweight people up in here. Would I be surprised? 8 out of every black women is grossly obese. Shhhhhhhhhh weight matters.”
Yes, according to the Office of Minority Health, African-American women have the highest rate of being obese or overweight in the US. According to the CDC, 78% of African-American women were considered overweight or obese in 2010. Whether or not one chooses to act on this knowledge and hit the gym or diet is a personal health decision. So when it comes to fashion, as long as your clothes fit and are flattering, why make a fuss over size?
For some reason people feel free to offer unsolicited advice, not knowing if the person in question is working towards a more healthy size or is dealing with an unrelated medical issue. And at the end of the day, if their clothes are tailored, colors gorgeous, and if the overall package is an A+, why should we focus on their (plus) size?
What do you think?
August 24, 2011 9:14 am
I just don’t understand why people feel obligated to comment. I subscribe to the Fashion Bomb, and look forward to the Bombshell post daily. If a woman has style that I admire, I say so. If not, I check out the outifts and move on with my daily life. It isn’t my place to say I dislike her style choices and it certainly isn’t my place to criticize anyone’s weight.
August 24, 2011 9:15 am
That BMI index is so ridiculous, also. It doesn’t take into consideration that black women tend to be naturally larger than others in general, even when they are not obese. I was reading an article about how they need to change the BMI to accommodate the physical body norms of different groups of people.
“Obese” for me is not going to be the same as it is for my white friends, although I am smaller than most of them. But, I am a munchkin so…
As a country, however, we.need.to.lose.weight. I was appalled the first time I went to the rural midwest for school and saw all these dangerously obese people reaching for cheetos, sitting down at Bob Evans, readying their forks and knives for another grease-slathered fried dead carcass of an animal. It’s a national problem, and like many national problems (unemployment), it significantly affects black folks. Let’s start eating more fruits and veggies! Leave McDonald’s alone!
August 24, 2011 9:18 am
Great article. I do believe there are many plus sized women out there who know how to dress their body type and look good. Fashion is about that and not about the side of you body. Thank you!
August 24, 2011 9:26 am
My issue is that some people expect plus size women to dress at Lane Bryant and Torrid only like they can’t be fashionable because they don’t wear a size 0. Size and fashion have nothing to do with one another and for the life of me, I can’t understand why people think smaller sizes equal to being “more fashionable”. Like I said yesterday on Tiffany’s spotlight, I’ve seen plenty of thin people step out the house and look a mess alongside some plus size women too. Size shouldn’t be the issue, whether you’re a size 0 or a size 24. Some people are worried about the WRONG things. Judging someone’s fashion sense solely based on their size is pure ignorance in my opinion. I do agree that obesity is an issue in America across the board, but some people also like to play ‘doctor’ and automatically claim people are obese if they’re overweight. Claire, you also brought up the point that some people might be dealing with health issues and their weight may be out of their control. I just wish some people would step away from the TV and computer for a minute and do some more research before they ‘diagnose’ somebody with obesity or say they can’t get past somebody’s weight when this is a FASHION blog, not a health blog.
August 24, 2011 9:26 am
I thought this site was about fashion, not health. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, yes, but keep it focused and curtailed to the discussion, which is fashion.
Is she supposed to not care about fashion as much as a thin person? Does being a certain size make one more entitled to fashion than the other?
August 24, 2011 9:32 am
• Specifically speaking about yesterdays bombshell I don’t agree that ‘ the overall package is an A+’. I think fit issues were compounded by her size, thus making her weight apart of the discussion. The similar reactions are displayed when a more slender woman (i.e. Zoe Saldana) is photographed in something not figure flatter. However I do think many times, including yesterday, peoples comments can very mean spirited and unnecessary.
August 24, 2011 9:38 am
Claire,
The young lady Tiffany from yesterday’s Bombshell of The Day disturbed me as well as many of your readers. I think the person who took offense were the people who know that they themselves are obese and/or overweight. It is not a “So what?” topic. The concern was not just for Tiffany personally, but that she was somehow celebrating being morbidly obese, which is what she is. No one has to know her personal medical history to know that, you can tell from just looking at her. It took away from even looking at her from a fashionista point-of-view. I’m glad she can love herself as she is, but as you stated, 78% of African-American women are overweight and need to lose weight to be healthy. We need to stop celebrating obesity, it’s irresponsible as a culture, and as people. To admonish your readers for the fact that they could not get past her size and the fear that celebrating Tiffany only exacerbates the problem we have in our culture really dissapoints me. This platform should be used to say yes, if you’re a big girl and love fashion, we accept you but know that we do not applaud being unhealthy in any size. I’m glad people spoke up and everyone, please don’t stop. It’s not about making overweight people feel bad, it’s about making OUR people healthy.
As for Linda from Miami, I’m a big fan of yours, but don’t let your insecurities about your size overshadow the right for someone else to be actually concerned about a young, obese women that has put herself on display. That is what makes us caring human beings and no one should stop simply because “we don’t know her personally” or she would somehow not affect our lives. Whether you know it or not, Tiffany already has affected many people just by being displayed on Fashion Bomb and I applaud it. I wish Tiffany long life, love and health and I thank her for reminding me I want the same and to get in the gym immediatley to be an example.
August 24, 2011 9:44 am
@Kimmy ‘Admonish’ is a strong word for what I did in this post, which was actually to simply open discussion. I didn’t applaud or criticize overweight or obese women, but was rather simply asking: when it comes to fashion, why does size matter?
Please don’t attack me as well for bringing these issues to the table. Thx.
August 24, 2011 9:49 am
So, im not understanding, do the people who felt so strongly about her weight feel like she shouldn’t be the bombshell of the day because she is larger? If that’s the case then maybe we shouldn’t have bombshells who are short, to dark, to light, to tall, one eye bigger than the other. I do not believe that anyone was celebrating her weight, I think they were celebrating her and the confidence she exudes. Yes, obesity is a big issue in America, but Claire is right our larger bombshells are being criticized with out knowledge of their medical history or perhaps their journey to living a more “healthy” or “ideal” lifestyle. I don’t believe that the purpose of being a bombshell is to be critiqued on your size, I think it’s about fashion (do you like it or not) and if your only reason for not liking it is because the person is larger, than what does that say about you?
August 24, 2011 9:51 am
@Kimmy
I understand your ‘concern’, but frankly, it’s insulting. Yes, she is very overweight, that does not mean she shouldn’t take pride in her appearance. How do you know she’s not on a weight loss plan? Should she stay in her house and never leave until she’s an ‘acceptable weight’? You can’t shame people into losing weight.
August 24, 2011 9:52 am
@Claire: LOL! Not an “attack”(also a strong word), but a response, an opinion to what you wrote. So nice of you to respond! Good day Claire!
August 24, 2011 9:52 am
I think health, not size, matters but I choose to keep my comments to myself as I could care less what other people choose to feed themselves.
August 24, 2011 9:55 am
Firstly, I agree, this is a Fashion portal, and in this context I do not believe that size matter. However, if one is obese one ought not to wear frightfully tight garments. Indeed one can also be thin and not look at all pleasant in frightfully tights garments too. One should not wear ill-fitting clothes whether thin or obese and so forth. It’s all in the presentation.
I do not live in America, I’m not American, but from what I’ve read a large percentage of African Americans are overweight or obese. This has nothing to do with Fashion.
August 24, 2011 9:55 am
The problem is that people feel most comfortable expressing hate and negativity under the guise of “concern.” We hate to see someone exude confidence especially when they are facing a problem or dealing with a situation that would debilitate most. Her obesity was not being celebrated, it just wasn’t being singled out. It’s called couth. To assume that the people responding positively are obese is just… shortsighted and immature. Nothing that was said in her comments section was new or groundbreaking so my question is, why do we feel the need to remind people that their shortcomings exist at all times? I promise you she knows she’s overweight. I’m sure she’s received qualified medical advice about the things she needs to do to become healthy. Can she have one moment where her weight isn’t the deal breaker? Should she limit her interactions with people and hide her confidence until she reaches a healthier more acceptable weight? Come on
August 24, 2011 9:56 am
Its automatic that clothing looks more appeasing on a longer, more slim frame. Not that plus size clothing looks bad on big girls(Not that these girls are big at all) but when making a decision on purchasing something in a fashion magazine, it just looks nicer.
August 24, 2011 9:58 am
We shouldn’t celebrate either end of the weight spectrum – being excessively thin can be dangerous, but obesity is a growing problem, esp in the black community. If a Bombshell puts herself into the public forum (via her blog or others) and she is over/underweight of course that is going to be commented on.
While there is a smidge of hypocrisy in lambasting overweight girls over ones who are probably under eating to stay thin, it seems black women are more likely to die from eating too much than too little. As obesity is a life threatening disease, it should be called out on.
If a Bombshell were in the pic smoking or taking drugs, I’d like to think we’d comment on the fashion then tell her she’s an idiot for killing herself slowly. She should get the same treatment for killing herself slowly with food. Bravo that she can dress well but it doesn’t matter that we don’t know her or that her fashion game is A+, she will probably die a premature death because she eats too much. It’s that simple!
August 24, 2011 9:58 am
@Kimmy
How is she celebrating obesity? Because she’s living as an obese person, it’s a celebration? Okay… Fashion is another form of artistic expression. I didn’t realize that one’s health limits their form of expression.
August 24, 2011 9:59 am
This is a FASHION website and we are suppose to comment on there FASHION period. There are many skinny people that are unhealthy as well. Kimmy…..smh Anyway I am not plus size and I think some of the comments were very harsh yesterday! If we start focusing on weight then we should also focus on looks, race etc which would be just as silly. I think an overwieght person knows they are overweight so should they not enjoy fashion? Stop it
August 24, 2011 10:02 am
@Alyssa You hit the nail on the head!
August 24, 2011 10:06 am
“While there is a smidge of hypocrisy in lambasting overweight girls over ones who are probably under eating to stay thin, it seems black women are more likely to die from eating too much than too little. As obesity is a life threatening disease, it should be called out on.”
@Mads, being underweight is also a life threatening disease and can lead to the same problems as being overweight. (ex. heart attack, stroke, immobility, digestive problems, etc.) Don’t be fooled, black women are dying and suffering at the other end of the spectrum as well.
August 24, 2011 10:10 am
Fact: They asked what you thought of her style, not her size. So if you don’t have anything to say about a person’s style, then don’t comment. Her size was jarring, but it didn’t take away from the fact that she, and Linda from Miami, looked like fun and interesting people who probably had a unique perspective on life. Judging people by the outside wrappings can sometimes block you from a blessing or a sweet surprise. Fashion isn’t deep, it’s not supposed to be, so just comment on the shoes and keep your Surgeon General’s health warnings to yourself.
August 24, 2011 10:17 am
@Kimmy At what point do we have to take a step back and realize that’s posting comments regarding weight on a post specifically about the bombshell’s style are out of place? As Claire said, regardless of size her personal take on fashion is the point of focus, so why do people feel the need, responsibility or some misguided sense of obligation to educate these women on their health? Berating them and expressing concern does no good IMO. Why? In this case, Tiffany is a grown woman who is aware of where she stands. These comments are not gonna make her up and decide to lose XX lbs tomorrow.
We have to understand that all the bombshells who post here see themselves in the mirror and whether tall/short/skinny/fat/darker/whatever, are obviously comfortable in their skin. So why would you want to take that away from someone under the guise of helping her and improving her health?
The focus should be on her style, her choices and fit. Noone should take it upon themselves to applaud or criticize these girls for their health decisions.
August 24, 2011 10:19 am
Size does kind of matter in fashion. Especially when you have plus size women wearing tight club dresses with their pot bellies hanging over (previous bombshell)…or cellulite and stretch marks showing.
I applauded yesterday’s bombshell Tiffany because even though she was plus size she wore that was not tight fitting..Besides the shorts I thought she dressed fine according to her size.
August 24, 2011 10:25 am
No one gets this riled up when people comment on an extra skinny celeb or model and says “she needs to eat a burger”. Comments such as these usually illicts laughter and agreement. Whether it be critizing the too thin or too big or celebrating the just thin enough, size does matter in the fashion world, period.
August 24, 2011 10:34 am
Yesterdays so called FBOD’s cloths were unflattering to say the least. If you thighs look like a baby elephant u should know better than to try showing them of. Disgusted by those cut off shorts. Size does and will always matter when certain people chose to wear the wrong cloths for their body shapes. All this does is put more focus on it.
August 24, 2011 10:35 am
Thank you, Alyssa… your empathy has really touched me today!
I am full-figured and working my tuchus off (pun intended) to lose weight. I’m in my early 30s and I recognize now is the time to get do it to improve my health.
I’ve had people approach me with very rude comments under the guise of concern constantly. I know how big I am. I know the health risks. I also know that hating myself or feeling shame for myself is NOT going to help me to achieve my weight loss goals.
August 24, 2011 10:37 am
I have very few spare fucks to give, so I’m not going to give too many of them to this long conversation. But I will say this:
Why is it that the weight friendly community wants us to celebrate their size – but continues to put the “thinnest” fat women in catalogs, Lane Bryant displays etc? The average fat woman I’m seeing from day to day is not hour glassed shape; people tend to carry excess weight in not the best places. Yet if you look at “plus size” models, they’re all just hourglasses with a little extra sand. What’s tee with that???
Personally, if you’re fat, be fat. If you’re not, be not fat. I don’t care to be overweight, nor will I date someone who is overweight. But your business is your business and vice versa. Shrug.
August 24, 2011 10:40 am
Hi, I’m Tiffany. You know the girl in the photos from yesterday that some of you have been talking about like I can’t read these. Some of you are right. I’m fat and it’s being celebrated not just by me, but by my blog readers, other bloggers, clothing companies, and other media outlets. I’m fat, I could lose weight, but its the way I like being and the way that I’m comfortable. My health is none of your business. If I become unhealthy and I die that’s a personal problem.
One of the main principles of fat acceptance is that people have the right to be fat and more then that people have the right to be unhealthy. People don’t deserve any less respect if they choose to be unhealthy or fat. Also, by the way, it’s been proven that you can be fat and healthy. I’m a living example. The two often go hand in hand, but not always.
I find it so interesting that when it comes to the health of other person people feel like it’s their right to say something. Allow me to point out that the person you think you’re helping, but are really belittling and eating away at their self esteem and self worth already knows everything that you have to say. All of your statics and ‘my daddy died of a heart attack’ stories have been heard before. You never know what is going on with a person. They could have other personal and/or health issues or be comfortable with themselves like me.
When you see someone smoking a cigarette or lighting up a blunt do you flick it out of their hand or subject them to public ridicule or lecture them on how they are killing themselves and the potential risk of smoking? What about people who wear heels? Do you lecture them on the potential health risk of that?
What should I be doing? Should I be wearing capris and graphic tees from Lane Bryant while I cry everyday about how fat I am and force myself to loose weight? Why can’t I be fat and have my own style? Why is it wrong for me to care about how I look?
Oh and fuck “flattering”. I don’t subscribe to what society deems as flattering. I’m all for fat girls in crop tops, short shorts. I’ll show off my belly, thighs, and back rolls if I so choose.
Thanks to everybody that had nice things say wether you liked my style and weight or not. I’ll be looking great, eating big juicy burgers and showing off my thighs in public. Bye folks. :-)
August 24, 2011 10:40 am
I’m sorry but saying that you make comments about someone’s weight on a fashion site because you are concerned about their health is the equivalent of peeing on someone’s head and calling it rain. If you are not her personal physician, or at least a medical professional who has seen her test results, you have no authority to determine that she is morbidly obese. You have no idea about what other factors influence her weight or if she exercises or if she suffers from hypertension etc. You just feel that you can pick on her because her picture is on the internet and she appears to be larger than average.
Technically, Serena Williams is overweight but she is a champion athlete and the BMI calculator does not account for muscle mass or even bone density. Skinny, thin, or even average does not automatically mean healthy. http://www.self.com/health/blogs/healthyself/2011/07/skinny-doesnt-equal-healthy-hi.html
@ McKenna, don’t know how often you read Fashion Bomb but after comments were made about Keisha Whitaker being too thin, Claire posted a very similar article.
Personally, if I don’t like a bombshell’s style, I just don’t post but they do send in their pictures for critique so I think comments about the cut of fabric and the fit of the garment should be expected but saying things like I just can’t get past her weight, etc is just mean spirited and internet thugging, in my opinion.
August 24, 2011 10:40 am
Come on, seriously? There’s a difference between a plus sized woman like you posted and the obese girl that was fashionbomb of the day. Obesity is the leading cause of preventable death WORLDWIDE. Why should we look past weight? We should encourage these girl to live healthy, like the First Lady is doing.
August 24, 2011 10:41 am
The model in the above pictures is a plus size model. She has curves and a shape. I’m sure she works out to maintain her shape. She has definition in her legs. Her clothes fit her and are tailored to her body. She is not sloppy. She is not wearing clothing that is too small. That showcases her rolls. That highlights her lumps and bumps. Everyone cannot wear everything. There is a big difference between being curvy and being sloppy. Clothes will never look good on a sloppy body. That is why people get their clothes tailored. If it does not fit, if it does not flatter, then it does not look good.
August 24, 2011 10:42 am
Ok, her size was shocking but her pics were submitted so her FASHION could be critiqued, nothing else. It is so damn jarring that everytime a bigger girl’s pics are posted her size is a matter of discussion. Why? Is there a difference between a big girl and a unhealthy girl? Yes, but is this the time to judge her on it? No..I swear if I was a big girl I would think twice about even submitting my pics on this site. And no disrespect to you Claire, bc you are out here trying to portray fashion from all sides of the spectrum, but some people are unecessarily cruel.
August 24, 2011 10:46 am
The bombshell from yesterday was wearing clothing that she had no buisness wearing. It did not look good. If she wants to wear short shorts, then she needs to spend the time in the gym working on her legs. She should have dressed for her shape. There have been plus size bombshells that got props on this site because they dressed for their shape. There have also been skinner girls that were told to try again.
Fashion isnt just about wearing what ever you want. It is about looking good in your clothing.
August 24, 2011 10:47 am
And BTW the fact that a bigger girl is on her grind to look good is a an accomplishment within itself. Its not easy when your not 5’5 120 to find clothes that are fashionable and fit to your frame.
August 24, 2011 10:49 am
1
August 24, 2011 10:50 am
Some of you are right. I’m fat and it’s being celebrated not just by me, but by my blog readers, other bloggers, clothing companies, and other media outlets. I’m fat, I could lose weight, but its the way I like being and the way that I’m comfortable. My health is none of your business. If I become unhealthy and I die that’s a personal problem.
One of the main principles of fat acceptance is that people have the right to be fat and more then that people have the right to be unhealthy. People don’t deserve any less respect if they choose to be unhealthy or fat. Also, by the way, it’s been proven that you can be fat and healthy. I’m a living example. The two often go hand in hand, but not always.
I find it so interesting that when it comes to the health of other person people feel like it’s their right to say something. Allow me to point out that the person you think you’re helping, but are really belittling and eating away at their self esteem and self worth already knows everything that you have to say. All of your statics and ‘my daddy died of a heart attack’ stories have been heard before. You never know what is going on with a person. They could have other personal and/or health issues or be comfortable with themselves like me.
When you see someone smoking a cigarette or lighting up a blunt do you flick it out of their hand or subject them to public ridicule or lecture them on how they are killing themselves and the potential risk of smoking? What about people who wear heels? Do you lecture them on the potential health risk of that?
What should I be doing? Should I be wearing capris and graphic tees from Lane Bryant while I cry everyday about how fat I am and force myself to loose weight? Why can’t I be fat and have my own style? Why is it wrong for me to care about how I look?
Oh and fuck “flattering”. I don’t subscribe to what society deems as flattering. I’m all for fat girls in crop tops, short shorts. I’ll show off my belly, thighs, and back rolls if I so choose.
Thanks to everybody that had nice things say wether you liked my style and weight or not. I’ll be looking great, eating big juicy burgers and showing off my thighs in public. Bye folks. :-)”
August 24, 2011 10:53 am
I personally don’t understand why people must be sooo hateful! I give Tiffany from Chicago 2 thunbs up. What this blog is for is to show different fashion trends or ideas and how different people showcase their style. I don’t see why people must jump to the negative. I think that it is more accepted for Black women to be over weight because we are more curvy and carry our weight well. I am a plus size sista and I would’nt change it for the world. As long as I’m healthy… I’m sexy! Tiffany was just displaying her style not her size. She not saying she wants to be a fashion model, she was just displaying her style!!!
August 24, 2011 10:58 am
We were all taught what fashion models are “supposed” to look like. Challenging the years and years of lessons, while applauded, will definitely prove to be a challenge and not to everyone’s taste– like fashion and style. No opinion is more valid. However, there is a reason why the high fashion models are stick-thin: so the focus is on the clothing. That 10 second glide down the runway is a very expensive commercial for the designer, and there is no room for anyone’s butt, boobs, or hips to upstage his/her design. In ready-to-wear fashion, there is more room for the curvy girl (i.e. denim, plus-size, etc.) but that doesn’t stop people from involuntarily comparing. In the same way some people can’t get used to seeing a Black man serve as president of our country (or natural Black hair as “good” or ideal), some people can’t get used to seeing a plus-size model as a “real” model. That’s comes with the territory of boundary-breaking. You choose to roll with it or continue to resist the idea. It’s unrealistic to expect EVERYONE to be on board with your thinking.
August 24, 2011 10:58 am
Well, I think size matters in the fashion world because, as it acts a a forum for artistic expression, there is a huge value placed on aesthetics and how pleasing the shape, size, and shade of the clothing (and the model) are to an audience. I think asking others to separate the model’s body from her fashion is impossible; one’s body is a canvas for their clothing/style and does affect how we receive and perceive their sense of fashion (i.e. the old controversy about why Mashonda can look kind of trashy in something Rihanna looks sultry in). With that said, I am shocked by how some have chosen to voice their opinion about yesterday’s FBOD. Because this is an open forum, we have to realize that it’s open to negative opinions and comments as well, but I was hoping that the people who choose to participate in this forum would do so in a way that is honest, yes, but also CONSTRUCTIVE and SUPPORTIVE.
August 24, 2011 11:06 am
I didn’t like Tiffany’s style, hell, I don’t like that look on ANY ONE! I felt it was not fitting for her size… Sorry, I’m not tryna be mean, but certain styles don’t look good on every size and shape. Some things may look better on a sister 300 pounds than it does on me,because it’s for her “shape” I didn’t comment yesterday,because what I took from Tiffany could not be expressed in words. I didn’t like her clothes,but I loved her confidence and It put a huge smile on my face. This is one thing I have to say about being a big gurl and clothes,YOU HAVE TO PAY A LITTLE MORE TO LOOK PUT TOGETHER. And start with supportive under garments. A good bra can make a huge difference. I am a 14 and for my shape, I cannot shop in F21,Pretty Girl, Rainbow or any store like that because I need a little bit more of a tailored look, and that’s the case with Tiffany also. Her clothes are ill fitted. Tiffany, I love your spunk,but you have to dress according to your shape.. Does size matter in fashion? It does, depending on the style.. There are a lot of styles I wish I could rock,but I can’t pull them off… So now I am in the gym 3 times a week, working towards a goal
As far as addressing the obese issue, I pray people will look more into “our” history and see why so many Black Americans are over weight, there is a reason…Not an excuse, but a reason. This is not our land,food, or environment… And with that said, I wish more of use took our health a little more seriously. Some may not be obese but are unhealthy mentally and emotionally…
August 24, 2011 11:06 am
Some people obviously didn’t read Tiffany’s comments. She does not care what people think about her weight or how she looks in her clothes because she’s not dressing to please you! The sooner people get that, the better off we’ll all be! That woman is gonna continue on with her life and dress however she wants. Some of the people on here trying to play doctor and pretend to be ‘concerned’ about her weight and health SLAY me. It’s none of your concern!
August 24, 2011 11:15 am
*sips coffee* Nice convo, ladies.
I thank the Lord everyday for my ability to see things outside of the standard quo context… its very freeing to see something and not immediately think negatively or harking back to something I saw before (bright red = koolaid, feathers = muppets, big = fat)…the ultimate case of freeing your mind.
I thought this happened with men more than women, but the comments here always remind me that small minds are universal.
August 24, 2011 11:20 am
@ Nikki
I think many of the comments were just unecessary. She’s big, so what? I mean if homegirl would’ve looked wack now that’s a diff story. But she didn’t, she was just fat. And I do think there is an issue within our community about weight. I think we do let bad eating habits and unhealthy choices slide. And it needs to be addressed, but not now!
August 24, 2011 11:35 am
i was once 250 pounds. now im down to around 150. going from fat to thin has given me a lot of perspective on society’s focus on weight. all i can say is that people HATE FAT. these strangers on the internet pretending they have true concern for someone they don’t know should just GIVE IT UP. admit that you hate fat. admit that you had the fact the that 8-10 black women as overweight or obese not because you genuinely care about your “sisters” you just don’t like that negative statistic being associated with you as a black woman who is not overweight. i bet the same ppl on here who say they care make disgusted faces at and are rude to fat ppl in real life! humans are so judgmental. that’s the whole point of the fashion bombshell of the day – to judge what ppl are wearing. then when we get an overweight bombshell they get to judge double – and it makes them feel good! let me ask, those who REALLY say they care about overweight bombshells – what have you even done to REALLY HELP overweight people in real life? berate them? talk about them? shame them? because all of that does not help. i lost weight because of concern for my health – not because of the 18 or so years of shame “friends” and strangers saw fit to put upon me. i doubt any of you have concern for tiffany from yesterday or fat people for real.
August 24, 2011 11:37 am
I just read a “Leave the McDonalds alone”… Some people have a sensitivity to gluten,(Me) and other foods and don’t even know it. I thought peppers,honeydew melons,Kewi,wheat and pickles were some safe foods, come to find out, they aren’t right for my blood type, I can’t digest them.
August 24, 2011 11:37 am
oh and @ tiffany I LOVE YOU CONFIDENCE!!! DO you cuz fat or thin people are always gonna talk.
August 24, 2011 11:38 am
Thanks Miss Moon! I’m sure you’ll reach your goals and remember, nobody’s opinion matters but your own… not even the positive ones. I guarantee that most of the people on here fronting like health is the main issue/concern will have fast food today, or a salad with extra croutons, extra dressing, or crispy chicken! lol! Everyone who “looks” healthy is not actually healthy. Do you, and don’t let anyone shame you out of your own self confidence!
August 24, 2011 11:38 am
@dyshaun
Come up off that pedestal of righteousness you’ve put yourself on, dude. I promise you do the same thing these women are doing here. Perhaps not with aesthetics or fashion, but to assume you have somehow escaped the human inclination to judge something or someone is in fact delusion. Perhaps you see it as a “passionate preference” but you most definitely have “immediately negative” reactions to things in life.
August 24, 2011 11:39 am
To be honest, although I liked a few pieces, I wasn’t a fan of Tiffany’s “style” REGARDLESS of her weight. However, I admired her confidence and her sense of individuality through her outfits which is what I thought was the whole purpose of the “Bombshell of the Day” feature anyways…
People in general will ALWAYS have something negative to say about others. I’m sure if it wasn’t her weight, it would be her complexion or the texture of her hair or any other non-mu*** f’n factor we can think of.
Let’s keep it to the point: This is about her (and every other featured bombshell’s) fashion/style and therefore all the comments should be focused on just that. It’s NOT a forum for your family health history, what Lil’ JoJo, Knuck Knuck and ‘nem said about you in middle school or any other irrelevant information you should be sharing with your nearest psychologist.
August 24, 2011 12:06 pm
Truthfully I don’t see why her weight has ANYTHING to do with the discussion. It’s been said over & over again… this is a fashion blog, not a health blog. Ppl are so judgmental it’s sickening.
ALSO THIS MAKES ME MAD ” 78% of African-American women are overweight” I’ve seen it so many times but I don’t think any of you actually know what it means. [**Jihan**] was correct the BMI index is a crock. It’s not meant for every race and body shape.
Ppl need to take into consideration that black & latino women are naturally thicker than women of other races. Also Body shape plays a CRUCIAL role in it too. I recently lost 52 lbs by eating healthy and working out. I’m 5’4 & currently weigh 167 & I’m considered overweight [not far from obese] according to the BMI index which is bull. I happen to have an hourglass shape so I look about 15-20lbs LIGHTER than I really am. If I went down to the 145 that would be “normal healthy weight” for my height, I’d be a darn TWIG… not cute… NOT HEALTHY. Some of you really need to research, know your bodies and don’t always fall into the hype. Just because a doctor says its right doesnt always mean it is.
Women are out here killing themselves to fit in a mold that was NEVER MEANT FOR THEM IN THE FIRST PLACE. Work out, eat right, PAY ATTENTION to & take care of your body & you’ll be healthy at whatever size you are. Being bigger doesnt mean you’re an unhealthy person & being small doesnt mean your healthy!!! Get a clue ladies! All my bigger, fabulous, fashionistas please don’t let the posts in previous fashion bombshells discourage you! I love seeing all women of all sizes work what they’ve got. =) <3
August 24, 2011 12:07 pm
@ MARI “If you thighs look like a baby elephant u should know better than to try showing them of. Disgusted by those cut off shorts.”<<<<<<<<This is what you call a basic broad. An elephant really, please sweet mother of mary- drop a few pics so we can see your Vogue ready fashion.
.
The people who post here anonymously do so because they can…Claire I think you should like facebook with the comments page (if financially feasibly of course). I bet people would be a whole lot nicer.
August 24, 2011 12:08 pm
* link facebook to posts
August 24, 2011 12:24 pm
I understand the concern of others about her health but she clearly stated she’s healthy. There’s is a huge misconception that your healthy if you’re skinny. False. Talk to some of your doctors and they’ll tell you that most of their “obese” patience are some of their healthier patience.
I’ve talked to plenty of patience that have PCOS and other diagnoses that cause a chemical embalance and cause them to hold on to weight. They can exercise and eat right and still not lose as much as they should. Most people don’t even know they have these medical condition. So eating right and exercising seems pointless because there aren’t any results.
Lastly,this is a fashion blog, so comments should solely be about FASHION. I think size doesn’t matter when it comes to style. What’s fashionable to me may not be to the next person. I think it’s wise to be open minded about Fashion it’s another form of art and self expression. It’s to be seen, it tells their perspectives.
August 24, 2011 12:24 pm
There are too many people on here talking about “dress for your size,” and really I don’t understand why people can’t dress the way they please. If you don’t like Tiffany’s style then fine, but this whole weight and obesity issue is really annoying. It’s sad when you can’t look past someone’s weight and see them for who they are, it’s just as bad as being unable to look past people’s skin color.
I’ve been plus sized for most of my life, and I’m personally tired of “dressing for my size.” I wish I could say I had the confidence as Tiffany does, but I do my own thing. I wear sheer shirts with just a bra underneath, I wear mini skirts, I wear form fitting clothing, because it’s what I like. Stop being caught up in statistics and reports and facts and figures and worry about yourself.
I’ve personally met Tiffany and she’s a wonderful person and to berate her because of her size is really appalling. Fashion is about expression of self, regardless of what the latest trends are. If you follow or bother to even look at her blog you see that she constantly has pushed the boundaries of fashion, because I don’t think many “normal” sized woman would be bold enough to wear some of her outfits.
August 24, 2011 12:30 pm
Size doesn’t matter. Fit does. Every woman is shaped differently and regardless of how big that shape is there are pieces that will enhance what’s good and hide what’s not. That should be the concern not the number on the clothes.
August 24, 2011 12:35 pm
I wonder do the people who make these comments like, “it was just grose or leave mcdonalds alone or I can’t get past her weight” and other comments like that, know how that effects the people they are talking about. Do they think they are the 1st person to say something like that to that person. Do they not know that these people they are talking about face those comments everyday of their life. Do they believe the people they are talking about are just clueless to how they look.
Expressing concern for someone who did not ask for it in the 1st place. These comments are far from helping, they can actually make it worst. Just like if your in school and you have a classmate that has worn the same clothes for 2 days, do you criticize them, torture them for it, because truth be told you have NO IDEA what their home life is like, causing them to have to do that. So if you see someone that is obese you have NO IDEA what they are going through or what happen and it is none of your business unless its yo child.
In any situation no one can change anything unless they truly want to. When other people fill the need to want you to change anything, you might do it at 1st, but in the end if its not something you want to do, you won’t continue with it. So, when that person decides ‘hey today is the day I’m gonna lose weight or whatever’, it will actually have success because that’s what they decided not all of you who think you know what is best for everybody.
August 24, 2011 12:47 pm
i wrote an entire research paper on this issue and it seems that it will never stop. the image media and the fashion industry portrays is one that clouds the judgment of those is society. if we were all supposed to be the same size and weight, how would anyone be considered unique? who is anyone to judge someone based on their weight bc media says one should be a size 6?? no one. we are all individuals and have the right to be how we desire to be. size doesn’t and shouldn’t matter. if one is comfortable in their own skin, thats all that does matter.
August 24, 2011 12:47 pm
Now in fashion people of all different shapes and sizes have made fashion hits and misses, I have seen people every size that looked a mess. But I realized I am not the one wearing those clothes, so why am I even bothered. There is no one track to being fashionable and having style, there is no one holy rule. What ever your style is, that’s your PERSONAL style. If that’s what you like, that’s what you like.
But when you look around in the fashion world, obviously size does matter, because of what our society puts out as normal. If size did not matter then I could find the same clothes in petite, average, and plus size. But I can’t, average sizes have a much wider catalog of clothes versus plus size, so to many designers size does matter.
But when judges someone on what they are wearing, if I like their style or not, size is not on my mind. If its an ugly shirt I would not like it on someone plus size or someone a size 0, so the size does not matter when you are looking at someones style choices.
But I agree so much with many of you on how people are using concern to mask their negativity and judgment of someone obese
August 24, 2011 12:52 pm
I was the bombshell a few weeks ago and I’m up almost 200 comments. For a woman that is fat and a bombshell in my own right. I was ridiculed. Told I was delusional if I thought I could ever be sexy and fat. I saw the same trend on tiffany post. Please don’t forget that ppl have feelings. Size shouldn’t be an issue but it is. I heard a woman say in conversation “my man can have girl friends as long as they fat” because of her size she isn’t considered a threat desired or feared. Now isn’t that just sad?
August 24, 2011 12:53 pm
To all those anorexic b*tches posting derogatory comments, go grab a sandwich and eat it cos clearly the hunger is making you sound like a pack of starving hyenas, ripping someone to pieces like that. I am not obese but I will not criticize someone because of their weight!!! My mother was a size 0 after she had me and my sister but they put her on Depo and she ballooned. She works out everyday and is one of the best swim coaches and athletic coaches in the country. She has strict portion controls, does no eat sugar, can out swim and outrun anyone but she is technically obese from birth control not from lack of being healthy. To sit down and write such disgusting comments not knowing the background is nasty and insulting and if I were to judge as you are judging I would say you are basic and hoodrat ignorant skanks and the lowest denominator in womanhood, the kind that has everything trifling to say about nothing. Personal attacks on bombshells annoy me, critique fashion !diots, not the person.
August 24, 2011 1:07 pm
One thing that really gets me is when people stereotype overweight/obese people. Like because someone is obese that must mean they never eat healthy and always go to McDonalds. That is just like saying everyone that is black only likes fried chicken and koolaid. But when I am at school, the fast food lines are filled, not with obese people. but average size people, so help me out here who only eats at fast food joints, obese people or everybody. And the thing is I am an overweight person but I eat healthy and I am working out, so I can lower my weight, but you would not know that because you do not know me, so what makes you think you know what every other overweight/obese person is doing.
The concern you have for someone you do not know weight, needs to be left up to that person, not ur problem. Because yes our country does have a weight issue, but it is not up to you to fix it. Having Michelle Obama tell the country we need to get active, is much better then ‘put the burger down, and run a mile.” Those people expressing concern, express it in a way that might actually work. Expressing concern in a negative harsh way will not get any result, so just leave it to the people who actually care.
But as far as the post goes size does not matter when it comes to fashion. Everyone has the right to wanna express themselves, to look nice. Fashion is not limited to only average size people. If you like her size you like it, if you don’t, you don’t, but dont let it be because of her size.
Personally I think tiff has her own style that she is comfortable with, more power to her. I like her style 1 because it is cool and 2 because she has enough confident to pull it off.
August 24, 2011 1:15 pm
People make me sick. Don’t try to hide your hateful, bashing remarks behind the excuse of you being concerned about the health risks. Damnit! It really upsets me how people just judge someone they know NOTHING about. How do you know she’s not trying to lose weight? And if she’s not, why does it matter. I’m sure she hears everyday how it’s a health risk to be her size. I don’t see how people who don’t know her think it’s their place to tell her of her ‘health risks.’ What are fat people supposed to do? Stay in the gym and never show their faces until they lose weight!? How the fuck can you take away someone’s freedom to dress however they please? Shut the hell up with your health advice. It’s not your position to voice that to her. Leave that to her doctor.
August 24, 2011 1:24 pm
I feel completely outrageous saying this because I KNOW its not politically correct, but I believe clothes look and fit better on a smaller person, especially high fashion. Gucci, Marc Jacobs, DVF, whatever you consider to be high fashion…none of those designers make their clothes for the size 8 and up. Even when designers do their sketches, their model is bone thin. Sometimes I’ll see a curvy bombshell, and I think, “Her clothes would look better on a smaller person”. I don’t think high fashion looks good on curvy women. I think about Kim K in her Gucci dress and how awful it looked. It’s just not made for women with curves. Nothing against the women with curves, I blame the designers. Big breasts and wide hips can enhance an outfit, or cheapen it.
August 24, 2011 1:30 pm
Ummm Word To the Wise So What If She Might Me Obese We Are Not In The Place To Critize Her This Is About Fashion Website Clearly Says FashionBomb Not HealthBomb So Please Shut Up Cause U Cant Say She Celebrating Being Obese Cause She Decides To Post Her Fashion Stlye On A Fashion Website Because What If It Was A Skinny White Girl The Same People Who Was Critizing Tiffany Would Be Critizing The White Girl When She Could Be Underweight But No You Guys Think Skinny Is More Healthy Nd Its Not So Think Before You Speak Nd This Is Comming From A 15year Old Smh
August 24, 2011 1:36 pm
Im not concerned. Nor will i pretend to be. I dont hide under the guise of sympathy nor empathy. What i saw yesterday grossed me out plain and simple. I have never commented on the FashionBomb.EVER. But what i saw…before i knew it i was typing in the little box and POST. Black women dont seem to realize that theres a diffrence between being FIT,CURVY,FAT,PLUS SIZED and OBESE. Tiffany is obese and there aint no way you can spin it to say otherwise. We create these little categoires to justify our weight to make ourselves feel better nd thats gotta stop. Shes NOT curvy, shes NOT plus sized, shes not FAT, shes obese. Shes def not healthy. I love women of all HEALTHY sizes and i applaud a woman walking down the street with confidence looking HEALTHY. And i belive weight has everything to do with fashion because in all honesty if you are a certain weight and your busting out your clothes and im seeing muffin tops well how can you be fashionable looking like THAT. The same thing goes to extremly skinny girls but i dont see tons of skinny girls on this site i saw this obese girl. I dont know about America but in Canada this is definetly my problem…considering when these people have heart attacks and are rushed to the hospital its MY money paying for it which rubs me the wrong way considering all they have to do to cure themselves is eat less.
August 24, 2011 1:44 pm
i didnt care too much for tiffany’s fashion, but i cant with yall disguising your HATE as CONCERN. most of yall dont give a damn if shes healthy or not, you just dont like fat. a good portion of you all probably eat just as bad as said fat person, and probably dont work out either, but were blessed with that good ol’ functioning metabolism. and its just ridiculous to think b/c ppl are against hounding her abt her weight that they too must be fat, how childish. ppl and their faux concern, its kinda like when gabby sid. was hot on scene, everyone and their opinions abt her weight, everyone felt they would burn inside if they didnt mention her weight and offer up their degree-less unsupportive advice. as if some how in this weight obsessed world, especially hollywood, where ppl are degraded more for their weight than being drug addicts, she somehow didnt realize she was big as hell. like ppl were mad she was this bright bubbly girl. ‘HOW DARE SHE ALWAYS SMILE, CRACK JOKES, AND BE HAPPY… SHE’S FAT!’ same with fashion. i guess the fat girl shouldnt have the desire to look nice. claire put one as a fashion bomb and all of a sudden that equates to celebrating obesity, huh? WHAT?..anyway nice discussion claire, but nothing will change.
August 24, 2011 1:47 pm
The ability to be anonymous on the internet always gives people a license to be nasty and cruel. Lets not play games, quite a few of you dont give two shits about health in the African American community. You are just being nasty and cruel and tasteless and crass. At the end of the day the Fashion Bomb of the Day is about the person featured style. THEIR style, not your style, but THEIR style. 95% of the time the same loyal readers have something nasty to say. Its really sad. Whats funny is that I’m sure quite a few of these same people have never been featured. And we have to remember that style is subjective. We have the Ralph Lauren’s of the world and then we have the Betsey Johnson’s of the world. Style encompasses a broad spectrum. I like Tiffany’s style. She’s young and pretty and she encompasses trends as well as some basic pieces. And i think she was a good choice for Fashion Bomb. I am just disgusted that people use this forum to be so nasty and vile whenever the person featured appears to be bigger than a size 6. I love all the Fashion Bombshells of the day because it showcases fashion from all over.
August 24, 2011 1:54 pm
The thing that DRIVES ME CRAZY!!! Is that people think that being skinny is healthy. That is not true either. Just as well as, there are some people who aren’t quite skinny but are in great shape. I myself weigh 155 pounds @ 5’5 feet tall and I personally can’t walk for a long amount of time and not become tired. Being skinny is not a plus. So ppl need to reevaluate there thoughts and ridculous mindsets!
August 24, 2011 1:55 pm
Let’s ALL of us be real for one second and admit that big tummies, cellulite, wobbling breasts & things, and flabby bottoms are neither attractive nor sexy nor healthy. All dressed up and tailored or not, if you’re wobbling from here to there, it’s not working. You can wrap a Christmas ham in the finest Oscar de la Renta gown, but it’s still a fatty Christmas ham.
Do you know why designers have all those skinny girls on the runway? It’s because the clothes look BETTER on a small frame. They just do. There’s no way around it. (You don’t want to admit it but it’s true.) This is not about celebration or ridicule. I’m talking about what it looks like. I’m telling you what MY EYE sees. As far as I’m concerned, a pair of flabby upper arms in cap-sleeves is just as detestable as seeing a beautiful rack of lamb on a garbage can lid. It’s a wonderful meal, yes; but, I am NOT going to eat it! It’s unappetizing. (You all remember that episode of The Cosby Show, I’m sure.)
Fashion is not just about CLOTHES, it’s also about image and lifestyle. Fashion is who we all want to be. Clothes very rarely look fashionable/fierce on bigger frames. Sorry, but when your shoulder fat is poking out of the top of your Marc Jacobs dress and your Christian Louboutins are leaning over from the weight of your body, that’s not fashion – that’s a big girl in expensive frocks. (There goes that garbage can lid, again.)
The image we all want to emulate is the beautiful, youthful, long and lithe young thing luxuriating in beautiful garments as she traipses hither and yon. That’s fashion. The rest is….well, it’s simply something else.
August 24, 2011 1:57 pm
All that needs to be simply said is:
How can you positively comment on the FASHION if the FIT is wrong?!
August 24, 2011 2:07 pm
I think health and happiness should be a couple primary focuses of ones life. You can be a size 12 and healthy whereas you can also be a size 2 & very unhealthy. Not everyone can happily maintain a size 2, 4, 6 or even 8. I think the look of the overall package should be the focus on this post. If someone is a size 14 or 16 but their clothing fits well & they look great, who are we to pass judgement on their size? Do we live their lives? Make decisions for them & pay their bills? NO! That being said, if being a size 14 begins to jeopardize one’s health it think it wise for that person to make adjustments. Otherwise if you’re healthy and happy at whatever weight you are, you should be able to live & go about enjoying life without the condescending comments of others.
August 24, 2011 2:16 pm
Wow. Some of these comments are harsh.
August 24, 2011 2:25 pm
I feel that people are harsh at times with how they state THEIR opinions. She is larger than some but if she was the size/shape of the young ladies in the pictures that are posted in this article, nobody would mine. She would be consider “thick.” As long as the women is shapely (hourglass figure) nobody cares, because that shape is more appealing to the eyes. This fashion issue works on both sides of the scale. When looking at Zoe Saldana in that dress posted yesterday, some feel she is too skinny and a more shapelier person could pull of that look better, oh lets say, Rihanna. So, Yes, when it comes to fashion size does matter, but it matter on both sides of the scale not just the larger size because skinny doesn’t mean your healthy or more fashionable it just mean your more socially accepted by some.
August 24, 2011 2:30 pm
“Couture looks better on thin people.” I hate comments like that. Put me and Lindsay Lohan in the same outfit and I GUARANTEE I will look better than her, couture or no couture! Honey, I am a size 6-8, and I make Marc Jacobs look better than any of the models on his runway! Self-hate is so 1895, love yourself PLEASE!
August 24, 2011 2:42 pm
I’ve never commented on FBB before, but this conversation definitely has moved me to do so. I think this discussion is multi-faceted in so many ways. First off, I don’t see why in this day and age, people say that those who are concerned about obesity are just displaying a false-sense of concern, masking their true dislike for fat people. We are living in a time where there are charities, fundraisers, and support groups for so many illnesses and diseases. Numerous charities for cancer, Alzheimer’s, SLS and heart disease, are just a few that fall into this category. We live in a modern “health-concerned” society. I live in Toronto, Canada and actions such as smoking, which can cause several types of cancer has become frowned upon. Various laws have been created to restrict smoking in public and private areas. Why? Because those actions lead to various health dangers for yourself and others. So if someone says that they are concerned that one is living an unhealthy, obese lifestyle, which is known to lead to health dangers, why can’t they too be genuinely concerned?
In relation to the FBOTD, Tiffany, I think a lot of people get riled up for different reasons. For some, they see that she is celebrated for being obese. Celebrated for potentially living a life that could lead to various health dangers. Why should it be celebrated that someone is living a life with potentially dangerous health effects? Why should someone possibly sending them self to the grave prematurely be celebrated? It’s not going to celebrated if you drive drunk or are addicted to alcohol, its not going to be celebrated if you’re a smoker. Celebrating and engaging in an unhealthy lifestyle will make you just that. Unhealthy. So if McDonalds is your favorite restaurant, do I think you should be proud of that? No, not really. Just like I don’t think you should be proud to proclaim that you can smoke two packs of cigarettes in one day. However, I think it should be noted that size and obesity/unhealthy lifestyles do not always correlate. I have had friends in the past, who never went above a size four, but had DISGUSTING eating habits. There is no way you could tell me, that they are physically healthy. Fast metabolism or not. Eating loads of sugar, trans and saturated fat, and other unhealthy ingredients will make you unhealthy. Period. Skinny people can get diabetes, high blood pressure and hypertension too.
But back to Claire’s original comment, does size matter in fashion? I say yes. Of course it does. In the FASHION world, size is everything, and everything is size. However, does size matter in STYLE? Not necessarily. Like other commenters noted, fit is completely essential, at least in my opinion. Seeing Linda’s (from Miami) style and wardrobe, I was very impressed. Most of her pieces fit her well, and she looked great. I think she is definitely a bombshell. And that, at least for me, was the major difference between Tiffany and Linda. Wearing pieces that flatter your body. I often frequent gabifresh.com and gabifresh.tumblr.com. Great girl with great style. And great style because of a great fit. Everything does not look well on an athletic framed size 6, and everything does not look well on a hour glassed size 18. I have a friend who is a size 12/14 and eats healthier than most of the people that I know, and definitely most of the thinner people that I know. And I completely respect her for that. But regardless of this discussion, Tiffany is entitled to wear whatever she wants to. Cut off shorts, or not. Tailored pieces or not. Its her body. She can dress it how she pleases. But if we are speaking beyond just Tiffany, the fact is that yes, size matters in the fashion world, because of what the fashion world stands for. Lovers of fashion didn’t create the paradigms of fashion. The creators of fashion, the designers, they created the paradigms of fashion.
August 24, 2011 2:46 pm
Wow its been a while since I’ve seen such ignorant and hurtful comments that have prompted me to respond. To all the people saying Tiffany’s weight ‘grossed’ them out – shame on you, nothing else to say. What grosses me out is negativity and hatred directed at someone for illegitimate reasons. You cannot determine someone’s health purely by looking at a picture of them on the internet. If you do not know Tiffany you cannot legitmately comment on her health. Fair enough if you don’t like her sense of style. But all this ‘dress for your shape’ nonsense is ridiculous. Let the woman dress as she pleases, its not affecting you in any way so why the need for the hatred. I’ve been ‘obese’ according to my BMI since I was 15. I wear a UK size 18 and I am 5ft 10. I rarely eat fast or fried food, if anything my food vices are too much caffiene and bread. The whole BMI system is an okay starting point but not the be-all-and-end-all. A lot of people need to educate themselves on what fat/body acceptance is truely about. Nobody is celebrating obesity but rather the right to be confident and happy with your body as it is. Everytime I look at Tiffany’s pictures I see her confidence and strong sense of self, through her style. Claire I really hope you keep on posting bombshells of various sizes and heights, don’t let the small-mindedness of a few affect those of us who appreciate fashion&style in all its forms.
August 24, 2011 2:48 pm
@ sticky-n-sweet…yeah that comment had me rolling…especially since DVF invented the wrap dress which is specifically designed to look good on all sizes. And the Saks Fifth Avenue in Atlanta has a pretty large plus sized section and there are plenty of designer clothes in it. Fashion is about making money. They use thin models because when they create the samples, they usually make them in a 2 or 4 but when the collection rolls out you can best believe they make plenty of 14s (since the average woman in America is a size 14)…
And Kim Kardashian claims to wear a size 4 (although I have the same measurements and wear a 8) so I guess in order to look good in designer clothes (in your opinion anyway) we should all be a size 2 or smaller?? No thanks
August 24, 2011 2:59 pm
It is great we live in a time where big or small; you can look good.
For me, fat is not sexy. That I can walk out my door and expect to see more fat black women than not is horrible. That you want me to accept being overweight as sexy bothers me. But I am not going to say ‘just do this and just do that.’ I place more blame on the food industry, American Corporations who work Americans to death just to give them a week off and the ignorance of Americans who do not use the internet to better their health. I think we should just say we like the fashion or we don’t. Don’t bring the weight into it. Either you like the fashion or you don’t. Period!
August 24, 2011 3:15 pm
Like others said this website is about fashion & style. not weight. People can be so mean and judgemental. Someone said she is celebrating the fact that she is obese. How? by being a bombshell? Thats crazy. I think by wanting to be a bombshell that she WAS celebrating the fact that she thinks she has unique style. Nothing is wrong with having an opinion but it’s the way you say it. People who are so critical of others are the main ones with low self esteem. So get like all the plus size bombshells and get you some (confidence).
August 24, 2011 3:21 pm
Something about the way the comments are made tells me that overall the concern is not able health. There is a pervading opinion that overweight people have no place in fashion.
Anywhooo, I agree that the assumption that skinny is healthy is mistaken. I know many skinny people who are not very healthy because of one reason or another.
We can disagree about not liking someone’s sense of style, that’s fine. But being crass about voicing it? Not cool. Because something tells me that “Do so, wouldn’t like so” as we say here Trini.
August 24, 2011 3:24 pm
*about health
August 24, 2011 3:24 pm
tiffanny sweet heart, you not healthy.
See thats what gets folks riled up, their no way you are healthy.
smh
“One of the main principles of fat acceptance is that people have the right to be fat and more then that people have the right to be unhealthy. People don’t deserve any less respect if they choose to be unhealthy or fat. Also, by the way, it’s been proven that you can be fat and healthy. I’m a living example. The two often go hand in hand, but not always”
People do deserve less respect if they choose to be unhealthy, which is why every time I see a person smoking I roll my eyes, which is why they are trying to banned ppl from smoking in the streets.
You saying you have the right to be unhealthy is just sad. You have the right to be unhealthy so I guess ppl have the right to constantly remind you that you are unhealthy. smh
I pray for you.
At the end of the day her style was bad anyways not cause she was big. I hate doc martens, makes you look like a poser.
August 24, 2011 3:40 pm
@ think u Claire
….. REALLY????? u gonna argue w/the young lady. NOW YOU REALLY ARE SICK AND EVIL. Go volunteer somewhere. A lot of people think a lot of things about themselves…… U kick people while they are down and gasping for breath????? Sick and Sad is what you are. I hope a surgeon sews up your a$$hole and feds you for 10 days str8.
We will all pray for you to bust like blackhead that you are.
August 24, 2011 3:48 pm
no not everyone thinks that thin is healthy. Every time I see that new Royal – Catherine Middleton or her sister – I can’t get past how thin she is to have an opinion on what she is wearing. Just like I couldn’t get past yesterday’s bombshell’s weight to have an opinion on what she wearing.
Sometimes it isn’t just about fashion even though this is a fashion site. Sometimes it truly is about health.
There have been many other bomshells that are a little over a “normal” weight that I could look past weight and decide on their clothing but this bombshell I just couldn’t and didn’t really want to comment because like she said in her comment, she has heard it all before.
And fit is important. I am about 4/6 and even I know I can’t wear everything though I have been told many times that I can wear anything but I know this not to be true and I stay away from stuff that doesn’t fit well. And spanx does help y’all to give you a better fit. It seems to me in my experience that the thin girls wear spanx a lot more than the girls that would really benefit.
August 24, 2011 3:53 pm
Size does matter. Especially in a world that feeds women weight problems as soon as we get out of the womb. You see skinny this and that on every popular magazine cover. For me, weight/weight loss/weight gain is always a journey, but I applaud those who know they have issues and want to fix them. Black women, we have to wake up and start over. We need to realize we are being targeted as unhealthy and we have to do something about it. Claire it would be nice if you could incorporate a healthy lifestyle segment because it does seriously correlate with fashion/beauty. For all those who live in image conscious cities like Los Angeles, Miami, NYC, you know how hard it is to not be picture perfect thin and be fashionable. In these cities size does matter too much, but it doesn’t determine a persons worth or beauty. Black women we are beautiful and we can work towards healthier lifestyles making it our mission to prove those or future studies wrong.
August 24, 2011 4:22 pm
So over fat wank. People are too fat this. Health that. You ain’t their doctor this that and the third. People are gonna hate. People are gonna hate the haters. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Can we move on?
August 24, 2011 4:31 pm
@Franchesca, why are you so upset at my personal quest to be nonjudgemental? I have been working on it for a long time and honey, you cant stop my shine.
Pour something more in your glass, with your half empty self. Sheesh. Offended by open-mindedness. I have really read it all. Oh yeah, reading helps. Open your mind.
Try reading Life 101: Everything We Wish We Had Learned About Life in School- But Didnt. The book isnt a life changer per se but it outfitted me with techniques to be a decent human being. My 9th grader is now reading it.
And I’m a lady. My name probably doesnt convey that. I was raised by a teacher, so yeah, empathy is kinda my thing.
“.. you most definitely have “immediately negative” reactions to things in life.” I honestly cant think of one but if you could point me in the right direction since youre all seeing and all…
August 24, 2011 5:07 pm
P.S TIFFANY YOUR AMAZING XOXO
if u let these ppl upset u today i’ll come from the caribbean an kick your ass! keep your head up babes!!!
August 24, 2011 5:09 pm
o and this is the last time im coming on this site.. deuces
August 24, 2011 5:15 pm
I think its inaccurate to say size and fashion don’t correlate. If that were the case “plus size models” would just be “models” and the runways would be full of women of all sizes. I wish I had the time to read through all the comments. Looks like you guys are having a heated debate!
August 24, 2011 5:30 pm
Thank you Claire for writing this. It is so sad that overweight discrimination *let’s call it what it is* is being used as a cover up for faux concern point blank. For those people who said something negative do you stop every overweight/obese person you see and give them a lesson on physical health and their weight…I wait…probably not so get off your high horse stop showing your bravado because your on the internet and expect not to get call out on it and usually it is from the same users each and every time.
What are plus size men and women suppose to do hide in their houses until they get the “acceptable” size then they can dabble in fashion and show their body off? People kill me with wanting to play doctor, yes we know obesity is a killer in our community and yes we know that we as a whole in this country needs to get on the ball with physical health but to bring it up in every plus size fashion bomb post seems pretentious to me and an excuse to be ugly and fat bash. YOU CAN’T HATE OR BASH PEOPLE FOR THEIR OWN GOOD, it doesn’t work that way. Stick to the topic at hand fashion because you are not saying anything groundbreaking or new any of us haven’t heard. You can be fashionable at any size and look a H.A.M. at any size as well it all depends on your views but that doesn’t mean you have to be nasty about it
August 24, 2011 6:30 pm
I strongly agree! This is a fashion website not in shape magazine, your comments weren’t solicited so shut up! Why can’t a woman be plus size and still look fly without getting a side eye from fellow African American women or women in general? I also find it quite interesting that these comments are made through the internet were no one can point out their flaws because I’m almost positive they don’t look like the next Tyra Banks or Chanel Iman!
August 24, 2011 6:38 pm
you can’t tell anything from a person’s weight – i don’t get why concern trolls get so riled up over nothing.
not that health is anyone’s business or should matter in fashion – if it did, they’re be a lot of people who shouldn’t have the spotlight put on them.
August 24, 2011 7:03 pm
Hello people. This is FASHION! FASHION we are talking about! Not health, not BMI, not weight loss. FASHION. The fact of the matter is: in fashion, weight DOES matter. On EVERY magazine, the models are presented in a way that shows how clothes look and frankly, they fall and drape better on a smaller frame. Thank God for shapely women like Kim K, LaLa, Beyonce, and Serena that have taught us that shapely women can look good and feel good in clothes too. But for the love of God, please let’s remember that i fashion, YES SIZE DOES MATTER. However, no, we should NOT go around criticizing other people’s weight. It’s uncouth and rude. But all the women I know do understand that weight and size matters in fashion, and if we want to look our best in clothes, it is perhaps NECESSARY to diet and exercise and ensure that we look and feel our best self. At whatever size we deem necessary which happens to be a size under 10. No one can say they don’t feel their best self when they carry around less weight and eat better. And how ironinc, its THEN that we look our best in FASHION.
August 24, 2011 7:06 pm
This blog isn’t about health,however I think people are fooling themselves when they say they are obese and healthy. You may not have to go to the hospital,but you’re unhealthy. And as you age, you will see more problems. Fat rolls alone cause problems. Your body is stressed when having to pull extra weight. And I’m 100% NO ONE IS HAPPY BEING OBESE,except a Sumo wrestler. Monique built her career talking about she is big and happy,but now that she is losing weight, her whole attitude has changed. Now, she is stating how unhealthy she was. But before, she hid behide the “Skinny women are evil” disclaimer. But she was fooling herself. I see so many young women walking around with canes and walkers because they are overweight. I don’t think it was right to come after this girl about her weight the way some did. But people do have the right to say they don’t like how her clothes looks.
August 24, 2011 7:35 pm
@ NessaLew
I agree 100% with you. Fashion and style is an art…express it how you feel!
August 24, 2011 7:42 pm
Wow just wow…what the hell happened to “If you dont have anything nice to say….” Guess i’m just old school. SMH. The sad thing is if Claire wanted to avoid to have to post articles like this by posting all size 6 and under bombshells then most of the readers will complain that all the bombshells are too skinny what about the more curvaceous girls. What happened to the last time Claire had to address how rude comments get towards bombshells and there was pretty much a consensus to say what you have to say in a more constructive way? Did we just generally forget plain manners? Yes I think for the most part we are aware that being “unhealthy” FAT OR THIN is not a goal that one sets for themself. However this is a FASHION website. Ive seen comments readers leave comments on other street style blogs and the comments are geared towards the outfit period..so why do readers of THIS site miss the whole mark of the purpose of the photos. I just truly do not get it nor am I going to try to understand. Good damn night..
August 24, 2011 8:14 pm
@ bronze
wasnt arguing she is obese so theirs no way she is healthy, her view in life is jaded. She stated she doesnt care, she doesnt care that many obese ppl will see her blog and continue to think that being unhealthy is ok as long as if what they chose. I had to be blunt with her, her comment scared me. Im a blackhead and you my friend our an enabaler
You bring the flowers to her funeral.
August 24, 2011 8:28 pm
Ok I’m going to throw my 2 cents in.
Let’s be realistic, and let’s come back to the real world.
Saying size doesn’t matter is like saying race doesn’t matter.
People judge you based on your appearance. Should they? NO. But
people shouldnt do alot of things in this world.
I am a plus size woman. Overweight..obese..THIS IS THE TRUTH.
Acting like it doesn’t matter, is avoiding the TRUTH.
When it comes to fashion, EVERYONE has the potential to have great style, plus sized or not.
Personally, when I’m judging fashion I’m looking at the FIT as well.
Now if you are BONE SKINNY and the clothes are too big for you..falling off…then YES that would affect my critique..I wouldn’t like it.
AS WELL, if you are TOO BIG for the clothes, then YES that would affect my critique of your fashion as well. I wouldn’t like that either.
Not discriminating..not saying either person doesnt have the right to rock it how they want to but, FIT MATTERS.
August 24, 2011 8:58 pm
Lets just say, Focus on her fashion and let her worry about her weight. HER weight affects NONE of you.
August 24, 2011 9:17 pm
Reading comprehension is fundamental. Why is that this site’s visitors can never stay on topic? This isn’t about yesterday’s bomb. Should size matter in fashion or not. Yes or no? And I think YES it does. Too thin, too big, too this or that. It doesn’t make a difference what end of the spectrum one is size and fit matters. I’m very hippy and have a big butt so certain trends don’t look right on me. Same goes for busty, plus size, overweight, or too thin women. Every style won’t fit every person. The key is finding what you feel comfortable in and making it work for your body type.
August 24, 2011 9:22 pm
A lot of us are overweight. It’s a serious health issue in our community and we’re dying from it. We shouldn’t make nasty comments about people who are obese. It’s pretty stupid and mean to say someone is unattractive, because they are heavier. When I see someone who is very overweight, I worry for them. I’ve seen so many people who suffered complications from obesity die from strokes and heart attacks at a young age. That’s the issue — your health. We need to take better care of ourselves. You really can die.
August 24, 2011 9:28 pm
To put it bluntly, size should matter in life, NOT fashion!!! I’m not a ” big” girl and still it saddens me to see such prejudices with our people and unessessary input on things that do not concern them! I’m very active in living a healthy lifestyle but I think there are better ways to try to help people IF you truly care about their well being and health! Besides, this blog is a FASHION blog NOT a weight blog!!! So knock it off!
August 24, 2011 9:34 pm
I have been a viewer of the Fashion Bomb for a few years now and I’m saddened that there are not alot of plus size features on the site. And when there is there are black women always being negative. I’m pretty sure that everyone who comes to the site is a standard size 8 and under..I hate how black women are so judgmental..its just sad..we hate on each other..so what someone is plus sized..thats them worry about yourself. Stop being rude weight is a major issue among women of all ages, be a little more sensitive bc you don’t know everyones circumstance. I’m proud of all beauties of all shapes and sizes!
August 24, 2011 9:48 pm
i’m not a size 2 nor a 22 however this blog is about fashion. just because somebody is bigger doesn’t mean they should go wear ugly clothes and hide in a corner and feel bad about themselves. you don’t know what any fashion bomb is going through. she could be trying to lose weight. i think commenters should focus on the outfits not on her weight. a lot of plus sized woman dress very well these days. we definitely live in a predominately white fashion world so we as women of ALL different colors should be uplifting each other and focus on the positive not tearing our fellow each other down. i swear black people are the most judgmental! it’s so backwards.
August 24, 2011 9:50 pm
size matters but then again it doesn’t. health wise i believe it does, but just as long as a person is okay w/ his or her weight people should leave it alone. i felt bad for all the comments concerning the girls weight yesterday but if she’s alright w/ it people should embrace that. it takes a lot of courage to put you photos out there and i admired her confidence
August 24, 2011 9:53 pm
Fashion, typically, does not exist in a vacuum. The body it’s on does matter. To look past the hanger (the body) is not particularly natural—actually 100% unnatural. This is why personal style blogs exist and thrive even in an oversaturated market. We live to see clothing come alive. So we can all stop the “we’re judging fashion not body type” discussion. It doesn’t work and to assume it does is actually ignoring a big part of what makes style style –the person.
Now judging an obese person vs. a skinny person comes down to personal taste. It’s NOT wrong nor does it make you awful to have the opinion that her weight distracts from the clothing, the clothing is not appealing due to her shape, or anything else. It’s an opinion that’s no different than not seeing past un-proportionate features of a face full of gorgeously applied makeup. Sometimes shit doesn’t appeal to your senses.
Bringing the health discussion is a cop out. No one cares about anyone’s health. Let’s be real. It’s aesthetics pure and simple.
In this case, I just don’t like her style and her body shape *is* throwing me off. Gabifresh, on the other hand, pretty much owns the plus size blogger crowd. She’s flawless and always dresses for her shape in unique and flattering ways.
August 24, 2011 9:54 pm
I honestly try not to read the comments anytime there’s a plus-sized Bombshell because I know for a fact nasty comments disguised as “opinion” are in full effect. Nastier than anything anyone could ever say about a rail-thin Bombshell (whose comments generally refer to her clothes).
But trolls will be trolls.
August 24, 2011 10:00 pm
@showmethecake
“Bringing the health discussion is a cop out. No one cares about anyone’s health. Let’s be real.”
Exactly. It’s apparently not enough to post a comment about the clothing and fit but include how you personally feel about the size of another’s thighs. Man… didn’t nobody ask you.
August 24, 2011 10:09 pm
Size doesn’t matter to me style wise. I absolutely adored and I mean adored Tiffany’s looks. She’s one of my favorite bombshells. I would wear every single outfit. She looks great in my opinion. It’s not your job to worry about people’s health. Fat doesn’t equal unhealthy. Being fat doesn’t mean you don’t exercise or eat right. Some people are just built that way and are actually quite fit and muscular. BMIs are totally inaccurate. LeBron would be considered overweight/obese on that because of his weight from muscles. And not all overweight people instantly obtain diseases because of their weight. It’s just a higher risk and everyone has a risk of being “unhealthy”. Cancer, heart disease…
August 24, 2011 10:23 pm
People are so full of sh*t on social networks. I do not believe for 1 minute that any comments regarding any fashion bombs weight is made due to genuine concern for a persons health. Reason for that being when you genuinely care about someone you do not shame them or say hurtful things, and most of the comments are either outright mean spirit or have underlying tones of disgust. I have no problem with someone saying you don’t find someone attractive because they are fat but don’t front like all of a sudden within 30 seconds of laying eyes on that person you have this deep concern for their medical health and well being. Be Honest with yourselves and be honest when discussing this topic. America has a fat phobia and with fat phobia comes fat stero types. One fat stereotype is that all fat women dress horribly and maybe for a long time that has been the case because the plus size fashion industry has only been supplying the demand for size not the demand for style and design. That is beginning to change now so does it really kill you that a fat girl can look put together and stylish. Does it kill you that a fat girl can walk into a room with her head held high radiating style and confidence? Yes being obese can potentially lead to serious health problems, so can smoking and skinny women smoke, so can drinking and skinny women smoke, so can too much exposure to the sun everyone is exposed to the sun, not getting the recommended hours of sleep is unhealthy but clearly no one gives a f*ck about all that right? So spare the fake health concerns. Plenty of times there are fashion bomb shells that are extremely skinny we’re talking about bones sticking out but you know what you guys let them live. So let the plus size women live don’t project your fat phobia on the rest us. Style knows no size.
August 24, 2011 10:51 pm
I feel like size doesnt matter as long as you flatter yourself. Imo, i dont think Tiffany shouldve been bombshell. I mean ALOT of her outfits dont flatter her they make her appear even larger. Now im not saying she should dress all conservately and Its cool to try out the latest styles and stuff but make sure it looks and fits good on you. Also theres this thing called shapewear and it does WONDERS….
The only way health/size starts becoming a “issue” to some people is when a plus size person dresses a certain way that DOES NOT flatter them. Some styles plus size people OR certain plus size should NOT wear.. Im a plus size girl and i try to dress accordingly to what looks good on ME not on some celeb. I know i dont have the greatest legs, so i KNOW not to just go out in leggings and a t-shirt. But thats just my two cents..
P.s: And so what if shes huge? If you dont like it dont look at her sheesh!
August 24, 2011 11:02 pm
i just wish all yall would shut the hell up and stop commenting on other peoples weight. there are so many more pressing issues in the world than one girls weight and her ability to wear nice clothing for her size. regardless of if you agree with her size or not, she is the way she is. she has the only right to comment on her life and how she should treat her body. so shut the hell up. thank you
August 24, 2011 11:09 pm
Great topic Claire!
August 24, 2011 11:16 pm
Claire,
Thanks for showing love to the curvier set, because yes we do have style! Just because we are not the size 0′s, 2′s and 4′s, it doesn’t mean that we can’t be trendy look and feel great about who we are. If you don’t like it then click to the next blog item! The comments have been just mean, and indicative of the unkind nature of our society.
The focus on this blog is the fashion and the comments should look beyond that, not this size mess! Yes America has an obesity problem, but kids are shooting each other in the street, our economy is teetering on collapse and on the other end of the globe millions of children are dying in somalia. Let’s get passionate about that and leave people to their personal style choices.
As a person that dresses curvy people everyday, I thought it was brave of Tiffany to send in a picture and even braver of Claire to choose her as a bombshell! Let’s demand more clothing options for the curvy, demand more fashion, more access to cute clothes, and leave the health choices up to the individual!
Curvy people are here to stay! http://www.popupplusonline.com
August 24, 2011 11:25 pm
This topic will go nowhere. The BMI may be skewed, but it doesn’t take a doctor or a scale to see when a person is morbidly obese no matter what race or shape they are. This behavior will continue because our community is all about forcing others to accept our short-comings & lack of responsibility for ourselves.
I can’t count how many people posted “being overweight doesn’t mean unhealthy” uhhh YES IT DOES. If it didn’t folks wouldn’t be dying of heart attacks, strokes, and other weight related illnesses at younger ages. The first lady wouldn’t have a damn weight related platform if being overweight didn’t mean unhealthy.
Sure there are many other ways to be unhealthy, but this is the MAIN one killing our people! Why can’t we just stop???? Its not normal to carry all that extra weight around! Why don’t we like to be told about ourselves? There shouldn’t even be an argument here. We you know better you do better and I’ll keep saying because obviously the message isn’t getting through to a lot of people.
August 24, 2011 11:33 pm
As long as they rock what they wear who cares!!
August 24, 2011 11:34 pm
i agree kimmy, eveything else. Claire i would like you to address when people are being nasty when its a skinny guy. a couple of weeks ago you had to shut down comments people because people where being so nasty. so this is the problem i have with this site check the previous bombshells people talk about how the fit is wrong and nobody raises an eyebrow. to be more specific lets talk about today;s bombshell, where people were talking about not liking her shorts and tights and saying its not flattery. So why not call out that behaviour because there are talking about her shape. so i guess when she is normal to average weight thats okay. However everytime, there is somebody overweight and obese like tiffany then its okay. tiffany was wearing cut off shorts and tights which she had no business wearing for her body. so lets call a spade a spade. There is hypocricy of this site with the way that overweight fashion bombshell are treated. We are supposed to treat them with kids glove, when darling when people put themselves in the public eye be ready for all sorts of press and stop being defensive. Tiffany just said she is comfortable being obese and fat so she should be comfortable with our comments and stop being so damn defence. so i guess that confidence is a facade after all.
August 24, 2011 11:39 pm
Star took the words out of my mouth, i have noticed the hypocricy on this site as well. Miss claire can you comment on that please. Why is it bigger fashion bombs get special treatment on this site. I have seen a lot of smaller girls on fashion bombs get a bashing about how their clothes are not flattering, or cheap looking or dont fit right but they never get a whole column dedicated to them. Waiting for your response.
August 24, 2011 11:45 pm
The Internet is fraught with anonymous posters who are, quite frankly, major twats. They will either hide their hatred of others through concern trolling, or will think they deserve a pat on the back for being honest in their hostility. Isn’t that right, missyqueenb?
The funny thing is, the biggest haters are the ones who would pitch a bitch fit if someone told them that their skin darker than woodgrain makes them unattractive and that they should stay out of site.
August 24, 2011 11:47 pm
people lets stop , please lets stop. The truth is size matters, and obesity kills. Saying that size doesnt matter is almost saying like there is no racism in America. There was an article i read on Bossip about whether size matters. It was interesting to see peoples responses. Most black women said it doesnt matter but the black men were very loud and clear that there were sick and tired of black women being fat and obese and thats why there were going to other races who take pride in their appearances. i am not saying everybody should look like channel but take pride and follow examples of beautiful black women like vanessa williams, queen latifa, jennifer Hudson, Rihanna, indie Irie, Oprah. All these women different shapes and sizes make me proud of being a black women. So black community lets stop this stupidity and call a spade a spade being obese kills period. Deny all you want it kills period.
August 24, 2011 11:51 pm
Tiffany if your weight didnt bother you, you woudnt be so damn defensive.I am sorry love body and fashion cannot be separated , its definately dellusional to think. Does it mean you cant be fashionable of course not, continue to do you and take note of your body and shape when it comes to some fashion choices. This rule is not just for obese people its for everybody, so i dont understand why you would get so offended.
August 24, 2011 11:57 pm
@lets Hypocrisy? Why are people so quick to criticize ME? I did a post called, “Body Discussion: You Need to Eat a Sandwich and Other Attacks on the Skinny Minny.”
http://fashionbombdaily.com/2011/05/13/body-discussion-she-needs-to-eat-a-sandwich-and-more-attacks-on-the-skinny-minny/
So…the full posts are reserved for both the plus sized and super thin (and everyone in between).
And regarding policing comments, I’ve honestly somewhat given up on that. I’ve turned off comments in the past (twice), was begged to put them back on, considered not having a Bombshell of the Day at all (most people were super opposed), and at this point, I simply shut off comments when I sense they’re getting out of control, as I did with today’s Bombshell.
My blog does not exist in a vacuum, so even if I do have the best of intentions (which I do), we’ll still get negative comments, hits below the belt, and attacks on me when I’m just introducing a topic for a spirited discussion. What can ya do? xx
August 25, 2011 12:00 am
Claire size should matter when it comes to fashion. Whether u are tall or short , everybody has to dress according to you shape especially if you want to be a fashionista. Simple and straight forward. I am glad we are discussing this topic its high time, Demetria from essence magazine just wrote and article about this about Boris K and his comments on tweeter and the attitude of black women on weight issues. I do agree there are bigger who are more healthy than skinny women but lets not get twisted when we are talking about tiffany. She is obsese and overweight and its irresponsible of the community to try and sugar coat that and do the same stupid arguement that some bigger women are healthier at a certain point but at her size its dangerous. Sugar coat it all you want, our first lady michelle Obama is working so hard to educate the black community. i guess its falling on deaf ears.
August 25, 2011 12:16 am
I’m still laughing at OBESITY BEING HEALTHY and weight not being an issue in fashion. Have you guys opened a fashion magazine lately? It’s all about “DRESS FOR YOUR SIZE”, “JEANS FOR YOUR BODY”, “HOW TO WEAR STRIPES TO MAKE YOU LOOK SLIMMER”, “BIKINIS FOR YOUR BODY”.
August 25, 2011 12:21 am
@ANON, not only the first lady but both Essence and Ebony magazine had their own weight-loss challenge. There’s always the 50 million pound challenge and countless other initiative’s to fight obesity in african americans.
August 25, 2011 12:27 am
I think a lot of folks just have strong reactions to what they fear. If you fear fat, you’ll look at heavier people with disgust and criticism. I believe in some cases, when a woman who focuses hard on her body, staying at/reaching a certain weight, aiming to fall into a certain size category sees a woman who is totally comfortable in her skin 50-100+lbs heavier…I think that fear is triggered. She doesn’t look how she ‘should’ look, so they think “How dare she feel that she is fine just the way she is? How dare she ‘celebrate’ the way she looks by…leaving the house and finding her own personal style?”
It seems that many here fail to realize is that just because your own confidence and self-worth is chained to what a scale says, doesn’t mean everyone else’s is. There are some overweight, fat, and obese women who enjoy fashion and are proud of their style, and they are allowed that – regardless of the status of their blood pressure or their cholesterol level. One has nothing to do with the other.
Self esteem isn’t reserved for people sizes 8 and under…it’s free and everyone is allowed to have it, no matter what they look like, what their medical charts may or may not say, or how you feel about it.
August 25, 2011 12:52 am
Even if youre a size 00 or a size 36+ not EVERYTHING looks good on everyone.. :|
August 25, 2011 7:06 am
werd? i thought black women were naturally more gifted in the sports department.
i dont live in america and i didnt know so many black women are dealing with that. to those strugglin to get better, i applaud you! to those who havent taken the steps yet, youll get there.
i am going to studie food/diet studies and i always feel like everybody has issues. big folks wear it on the outside. its not fair to go harder on them than on folks who keep it inside.
but as far as fashion goes. the girl you are referring to in this post has the cutest face and style ever! i feel mixed about people expressing their opinions on obesity.
you see, if you are ”different” people are going to pick on you: fat, black, red hair, freckles, too tall, too short, too skinny, too sensitive etc.
its not personal when people comment on that in this section. its just human nature. thats all
August 25, 2011 7:44 am
interesting debate
i agree, that body and weight has always been a factor in fashion and always will. ignoring it only makes u look foolish and unaware. While she is free to dress how she wants, I also felt many of her styles werent flattering or she needed shapewear. I have also seen slimmer girls on fashion bomb been called out for wearing ill fitting clothes etc. so i dont think tiffanies case should have been excluded. I dont agree with coddling fashion bombs.
I wish people would stop deeming everyone as a hater because they dont like her style or her weight. Trust me, Im not coming from hate. If you put your pics up, you will receive criticism and positive remarks. The fashion industry is making ground yes, but its a vain industry and alot more hurtful comments have been made.
Its good that tiffany is confident, but this whole obese and healthy thing- not buying it. While i think people should focus on body fat percentage rather than bmi, African Americans are still the ones facing heart disease, diabetes, etc at the highest rates. Obesity is not the only factor, but why increase your risk for it. I dont respect anyone who chooses to live a dangerous lifestyle whether its obesity, alcoholism, drug addiction, etc.
August 25, 2011 8:56 am
I love that they are calling a woman is a size 8/10 obese. I’m sorry but some people bone structure will not allow them to get down to a size 4 without looking scary. Anorexia is just as unhealthy as obesity… but they still parade sickly looking models up and down the runway, movies and magazines all day long.
August 25, 2011 9:36 am
I love this site (I’ve been reading since Claire broke her nine west flats LOL) but the comment section here is a disgrace. I don’t know what kind of people sit and make up horrible things to say about strangers. I wasn’t a fan of Tiffany’s style as I’m more conservative, but I admired her confidence to wear items that were out of the box- REGARDLESS of her size. I’m a nurse, so I could give good advice, but for what? She didn’t ask. I make a point of never giving advice to people that don’t seek it. I think all the “medical professionals”, “nutritionists”, “personal trainers” and “life coaches” need to have a seat.
August 25, 2011 9:55 am
i honestly don’t feel one way or the other about anyone’s weight. but i’m am getting a little annoyed that says this is a fashion blog…we shouldn’t be commenting on her weight. but we comment on hair, skin, make up, how cute a model is, etc….so don’t just hide behind the purpose of the board when there is something negative being said. it’s basically an opinion board for whatever picture we see period.
August 25, 2011 10:42 am
I work at Torrid and I feel that all women can be fashionable at any size. My thing is that plus size women have to wear what compliments their body. I’m tired of seeing plus size women wearing camis without bras or wearing clothing that is 2 sizes too small. I feel that you must wear your size. Also, with plus size fashion less is more. What I mean is less skin showing, less colors, and less spandex. When wearing colors plus size women should consider paneling with color. I wear vest and shrugs which make my tummy look smaller. I also will not wear leggings as pants without my bottom covered. I hate when I see that. With all this said weight is a serious epidemic in the black community. We need to change our thinking. Eating healthy is like a crime in a black family. Example, I dried to give my husband light ranch dressing and he got upset. Another problem with America and weight is the sugar addiction that we all have. If we could all stop eating sugar
(Which is hard to do) we could be healthier. Weight is a tuff issue I wish there was an easy answer.
August 25, 2011 10:49 am
At the end of the day, “If it don’t fit you musta quit!!” lmao
August 25, 2011 10:59 am
Claire, I work @ my desk everyday, and the one thing that gets me thru my day is getting online. And I swear once I discovered this blog I was too excited. I found something that was chic, informative. relevant, and on point. This topic is always going to be controversial, just like light skin vs dark, and natural vs relaxed. Not everyone is going to agree. And this is a public forum so yes in a perfect world everyone would give their opinion but would still maintain some form of respect. People on here commenting as if its blackplanet..lol But keep doing you bc obviously it has worked so well. Keep putting those girls on here who push the fashion envelope, whether they be a 0 or 22. The problem is people get so offended. This is fashion and last time I checked, fashion is the most cruel place, and I work in corporate America as a black woman! Fashion is going to tell you ur too tall when ur 5’8, ur too dark when u have a mocha complexion, or ur too fat when ur a size 4. Keep doing you, the site is great, and people are going to be mean and nasty no matter what! Its not their fault though. It’s what society has done. It has brainwashed us to believe in some garbage ass standard of beauty. Love this site!!!
August 25, 2011 11:12 am
We love you Claire!
August 25, 2011 11:20 am
Hmm, this is a good discussion Claire. In this weight obsessed society it’s also a really emotive issue, that unfortunately causes people to speak (IMHO) irrationally.
It seems that many commentators, regarding this issue, live in a black and white world with no shades of grey and so I’d like to offer my grey opinion regarding this matter.
Speaking specifically of yesterday’s bombshell, being frank, I have to join the chorus of those who ‘couldn’t see past her weight’.
Does that mean I hate her? No! Does that mean I hate or discriminate against overweight/obese people? No! Does that make me a bad person. No!
People are so quick to reach for the ‘Hate’ word when there is a disagreement of opinions, but more often than not – it’s just not that serious!
The same way I’d find it hard to look beyond the weight of someone extremely underweight, and make no mistake about it, anorexia and eating to the point of morbid obesity, are two different spectrums of the same family, is the same difficulty I experience when asked to judge the style of someone morbidly obese. I make no apologies for feeling this way, and I won’t be bullied by anyone into thinking that this makes me a bad person.
@showmethecakes said it best when she said ‘Fashion does not exist within a vacuum’, or perhaps it does for many of you. But for those of us for who it doesn’t, it makes us no better or worse than you.
August 25, 2011 11:34 am
Tiffany your comments disappoint me, you choose to be unhealthy and proud of it, then so be it. I am in canada and her ignorant comments anger me because i am a hard working black women who will end up having her money taken on her paycheck to support the medical system for people like you who dont care about their healthy. Wake up Tiffany i have no respect for some who is as ignorant as you.
August 25, 2011 11:45 am
Its high time we have this debate, at claire every time someone has a comment directly at you, dont see it as an attack. Its part of the debate non of the ladies you accused of attacking were simple stating an opinion. I dont think there were trying to attack you. Now that i have that out of the way. Lets get to the topic of the day. Do size matter in fashion? Is it even up for debate. Of course size matters. The people who says size do not matter are eitheir overweight and obese, leave under a rock, people who are in denial. Whether u are skinny or curvy size matters. And the other thing that has been annoying me as somebody said the the lack of the black community defferentiating between, overweight, curvy, thick and obese and a bigger girl. The fashion bomb in discussion is not thick, curvy,. She is Obese and there is no way that obese is healthy. Yes i said it she is not healthy. And as you know there is no way you can talk about Fashion with talking about the body, the fit and health. They all go together. So people might not like it but everytime there is fashion, health and body image will be part of the discussion. So for those who get offended about people talking about health concerns, my advice go to the gym. Simple as that.
August 25, 2011 11:54 am
Have black women seen their black men lately. Lets even talk about the male fashion bombs in here. There are fit and fly and ripped. So you all surprised that go else where and start crying that all the good looking , educated , job holding brothers are going else where. Black men are taking care of them selves. Go to the gym , the places are full of brothers but do you see any black women there, only a handful. Black men are making it clear that there are into fit women nowadays. So when brothers go else where, stop all making noises. If you want to deny what i am talking about deny it but look at your black males who are public figures and check out the ladies there are dating, you do not see any overweight and obese chicks there. Well just look around your corner and check out who the black men are dating, healthy looking females. So ladies lets get on with the program and stop using the weight card and say oh i am being discriminated because i am obese. No negative comments come when the fit is not right for skinny girls or curvy girls. Call it what is it and stop hiding behind or its because i am big. Just saying.
August 25, 2011 2:23 pm
I don’t know why everyone has so much to say. You guys don’t care who feelings you hurt, what if this girl suffered from some serious depression. I come to this site every day. I love what this site stands for, but I could do without the negativity. I mean we rip each other apart more than any other race. Talk’in about ya’ll care about o’l girl, that will be a negative!! Last time I checked we grown, so say something grown.
It’s not my place to comment on this girl weight, and everyone knows someone, or is related to someone that is overweight. (Might even be closer than we like to admit). I can write on this subject for days but I wont because nothing is going to change. I myself a size 8, I work at Barneys and I am literally almost if not the biggest person their (probably the biggest LOL!) but GOD loves me!
August 25, 2011 2:43 pm
The biggest “epidemic” hurting African American women is…(I dislike this word but this is what it is)….HATE!!! People posting “productive” critisms need to re-evaluate themeselves. They are trying to convince themselves and others on this site that they care…If you cared for this human being you would reach out to her through action and not bogus comments…Get off the boo boo!
Also, outside of the weight topic there have been other hateful comments like “she looks like a man or she is so dark etc etc”…Enough is enough…When are we as black woman going to give ourselves a break!!?! Yes, health is an important issue for us. (notice I did not say weight)…Health compromises many factors such as diet, exercise, environment, genetics, psychology, etc so please please make no assumptions…
We as black women should know you can not judge a book by its cover because when you do you miss out on learning something new. Please open up your mind and get it out of your behind!! There is so much more to what meets the eye!
We as black women need to give ourselves permission to exist in EVERY shape, hue, form and function instead of looking at what society and the european driven fashion industry says.
If you truly care about the image of the black woman there are truly productive ways to go about helping the overweight/obese. How about writing a letter to your Congress official about the lack of healthy options and grocery stores in urban/black communities. How about mentoring young black women and taking them to the gym and teaching them how to cook healthy meals??? The sad reality is that most of you will do NOTHING but sit at your computer screen and argue back and forth…so in the end none of us when but those who have the agenda for us to fail.
I am gonna get off my soap box and end with this comment..at the end of the day forget black, white, fat, thin, dark light, short or tall..we are human and have feelings unique to the community so please respect that and respect yourself enough to channel your hate into something positive…Jay Z said it at best…”What you eat don’t make me shit” PEACE
August 25, 2011 3:02 pm
@itiswhatitis
I SO AGREE! Thank you someone who is ACTUALLY thinking here. Hello, you can be “plus size” and be healthy. I, myself is plus size and I excerise everyday .. not to loose my figure but to be HEALTHY. Yes, I have toned up my legs, arms, and stomach but baby I’m still a ROCK SOLID “PLUS SIZE” GIRL (Size 16-18 to be exact!) Yes, I agree obesity is something that we need to take more seriously but not everybody was made to be a size 0-2 skinny! Face it, you can be PLUS SIZED & HEALTHY! My parents always said to me, “It doesn’t matter about your size to me, as long as you’re healthy.” And I agree with another sister on here (I can’t remember the name) who said the #1 problem with the black female society is HATE! Don’t bring others down, try to elevate them to be the best that they can be, so we as a whole can be the best WE can be!
August 25, 2011 3:03 pm
No offense to that girl but I didnt like her style. I dont care that she is fat.
I work in the fashion industry. I am a size 12. Who else here knows what ist like to live and work in NYC and do fashion related work?
yeah everyone has an opinion
August 25, 2011 3:45 pm
Man, I had to comment again!! After reading absolutely all of the comments on here, I’m so disgusted. Ya’ll females on here be lying like sh%t, ya’ll don’t care one bit about this girl or her health (so stop it). Ya’ll will convince yourselves of anything to justify your comment. Some of ya’ll went as far as to call her names. Fake,fake and more fake and I use the term loosely. How you going to be a cyber gangster. I guess you can’t get that a%% BEAT over the internet! I can not stand to see how we break each other down. Damn if we put that much concentration on our own lives we would be alright. I know so many skinny girls that are unhealthy in every way possible, from exercising to what they put in there body. Me personally I love everybody until I don’t! And to the girl that was featured yesterday, lots of love, I sincerely mean that! Fashion is an art not a gym! Claire I love what you stand for, and I appreciate you for creating this site, it is truly one of the highlights of my day. Now if we could only stop girls for commenting, because grown a%% women do not conduct themselves this way!
August 25, 2011 4:17 pm
SMH. I liked her style. I think it was nice and I think she wore it just fine.
Also, she does have a right to be “fat” You can’t tell the girl that she is not healthy, but it is a known fact that most obese people are not.
The initial question: Should size matter in fashion? It depends.
On this website: NO. the focus is on the clothes and how they wear them, if I seen Tiffany walking down the street, she would grasp my attention in a positive manner.
In magazines and on the runway: YES. They are MARKETING a product to be sold and for MARKETING purposes they must portray what is appealing to MOST people and overweight women are just not in that category. Black women in general as well are not featured as often for MARKETING purposes.
None of the bombshells are contracted models and should not be judged as if they are.
Some things are common sense. If you know something is not flattering on you, then you shouldn’t wear it and that goes for anybody. Its all about presentation. I think Tiffany gave the best presentation she sould and I give her an A.
Also, I do agree that people have the right to comment negatively. Thats up to them. I personally feel like constructive criticism is fine but negative comments are unneccessary.
Its like any other prejudice.
Its not right and it sucks but its life.
(Just my opinion)
August 25, 2011 6:03 pm
wow, really? love this site. there are always gonna be rude people and folks that give advice where advice isn’t needed. I appreciate anyone who can dress their shape well- which has nothing to do with weight…if you are overweight and unhealthy you know it – just like you know it if you are underweight, and unhealthy…or if you are the perfect weight with a potbelly…
August 25, 2011 6:22 pm
People crack me up on this site. Wanna call someone out about their size when they’re two hamburgers away from being plus size. Oh how I love the anonymity of the internet :/
August 25, 2011 6:26 pm
Wow! surprising that telling someone who is obese to reconsider and think about her health is considered hate. True hate is coming from the enablers who are saying that being obese is okay and just to focus on the fashion probably because they are in the same boat.
August 25, 2011 6:58 pm
I am a very small woman and I know I find it very rude when people comment on my size (when coming from blacks almost always a negative comment but other races mostly positive lol). So I find it rude for people to say that of women on the opposite spectrum. If you have something to say it does not help to down someone or think because you have an opinion that person will agree. Yes there are health reason but it still doesn’t call to be rude!!!
August 25, 2011 11:49 pm
She Rocked! This is all about Fashion!
Drops Mic, Exits Stage.
August 26, 2011 12:23 am
Saying that a bombshell or bomber (whether they be a size 4 or 24) “knew what they were getting themselves into” by putting their pictures all over internet is a cop-out. Bashing a person is tactless measure to boost your own self-esteem while doing your best to eat away at their dignity.
I agree with those of you who that argue that Tiffany’s heard it all before and comparing her legs to that of an elephant’s is not helpful, it’s a hinderance in terms of her well-being.
Claire I’ve been reading eversince your J. Crew obsession days :) but these comments have gone out of hand maybe you should disable comments for the BOTD feature and make the comment section look as lovely as the Snapshot feature “no words…just an image.” Even just having the poll should suffice.
August 26, 2011 2:20 am
Amazing .that really sexy look.
August 26, 2011 2:57 am
@Mme Bienvenue
I agree. Disable the comments and leave the poll. Regardless of size, I think you are doing a great service to women everywhere who have the opportunity to see themselves on a fashion website. Why demoralize them in the process? To all the BBW women out there. I hope you continue to look and be fabulous.
August 26, 2011 3:45 am
I think kindness and empathy should matter more than size/fashion/fit.
I liked some her looks and some of them I didn’t like. This is the same with bombshells of the past, my comments are always geared towards what resonates with me.
I played my role and commented on the “fashion”. I have no right to comment on her weight and she has no right to comment on my weight either. I do not like it when Monique does her routing attacking skinny women and I do not like it when people attack larger women.
~ I hate denim cutoffs on all humans over the age of 2yrs old~
August 26, 2011 12:02 pm
I now feel the same way about comments here as I do about the reactions in places like ConcreteLoop or TheYBF…. It’s just as full of ignorance to make me side-eye the “black internet.”
August 26, 2011 1:38 pm
I totally agree with Kea.
Additionally, I really cannot stomach Tiffany’s response “I’m fat and it’s being celebrated”. That just has to be wrong. I do not agree with that because I believe that there must be some health issues involved with being that size but you know what, it’s not my business and she must know that. So I wouldn’t personally preach about it. However, the fact that she is celebrating as she is free to do; I too should be free to comment on her celebration without being labelled a hater. Why would a complete stranger want to go out of their way to hate on Tiffany? Come ON!
Now to answer Claire’s question:- why should we focus on her size? Because in this instant, there was an issue of the fit of the clothes. Fit doesn’t stop me from assessing one’s overall style but it affects some.
August 26, 2011 2:32 pm
@ monica
August 25, 2011 4:17 pm
“Also, she does have a right to be “fat” You can’t tell the girl that she is not healthy, but it is a known fact that most obese people are not.”
Your own sentence contradicted itself.
You can be plus size and be somewhat healthy, but you can not be obese and healthy, the title obese MEANS unhealthy. Her fashion sense is whatever everyone is getting on her because of her comments that she is obese but healthy.
Its crazy cause I looked at her entire blog, back in 09 she use to be smaller and she says she has been over weight since the third grade. As the blogg got older and older she go bigger and bigger.
She can dress up all she wants be eventully she needs to wake up and see just cause you been fat all your life and nothing has happen doesnt meant it wont eventual become sick, our bodies are strong, with age more problems will come and then it be harder to lose the weight.
Just keeping it real.
August 26, 2011 2:32 pm
Amen leighjoy
August 29, 2011 1:49 am
It’s funny how everyone has become the expert on what’s healthy and what’s not healthy. How many of us would even know about health if it wasn’t a report on television watched while we were eating? According to these reports that’s unhealthy too!
It amazes me that people feel they have a right to comment on someone’s weight. How is that any of your concern? Worry about what you got going on. Yes, obesity is an epidemic for all people not just black folk.
So for those so hung up on obesity, make sure that big greasy salty burger with globs of mustard or mayonnaise or ketchup with cheese is slapped out of everybody’s hand when you visit your favorite fast food restaurant and order the same thing. Be careful not to slap your self in the mouth too.
Damn, I just made myself hungry.
November 3, 2011 8:27 am
What does it matter, this is a fashion blog. The skinny girls you call fashionable can have diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, etc as easily as the obese women you seem to call out automatically. You cut and chop this girl because of her weight, but weight doesn’t equal automatically unhealthy. I’am a plus sized girl and I have no problems what so ever except what the doctors would call my weight. Most health problems are genetic and that’s a really common misconception.
December 3, 2011 11:09 pm
In the caucasion community there are a lot of Anorexic and bulimic people also so it is not just minority with the problems!